By Paris Chavis
”The Fate of Ophelia”- Taylor Swift
Overall Rating: I’d give this a 5/10
Why it’s trending: Taylor Swift has a really big fan base that drives almost all of her songs to the top.
What works: Clean production and strong storytelling.
What doesn’t work: Lacks personalityFinal Take: The Fate of Ophelia is a good “in the moment song” but it is not memorable. It doesn’t stand out or make an impression like Taylor Swift’s previous tracks would. For example her songs “Blank Space” and “Shake it off” is the impact I usually expect from her. They both were radio friendly and have good story telling just like “The Fate of Ophelia”, but they don’t lack a lasting impact.
”Golden”- KPOP Demon Hunters
Overall Rating: 7/10
Why it’s trending: Golden gained popularity because it’s in an animated movie and associated with KPOP, which is hugely popular with younger audiences.
What works: Catchy lyrics, up-beat vibe, strong visuals and performance.
What doesn’t work: The song doesn’t aim for lyrical depth. For example the chorus repeats being “golden” and shining and staying confident. However, it feels intentional given its for a kids movie.
Final Take: Golden brings a fun, and energetic vibe that makes its popularity easy to understand.
“Back to friends”- Sombr
Overall rating: 7.5/10
Why it’s trending: This song gained a lot through social media. I’ve heard it a bunch of times on TikTok myself. Its theme about relationship problems is also relatable.
What works: Emotional tone, fits into the current genre of sad yet pop songs, and listeners can connect with its theme.
What doesn’t work: Fits comfortably into the sad-pop genre. However the theme of heartbreak is very popular and often heard from other artists like “Everything I Wanted”-Billie Eilish or “Second Best”-Laufey and many others. While this makes it relatable, it’s also easier to blend in than stand out.
Final Take: Back to Friends has a strong emotional tone, but it doesn’t offer anything unique. Its popularity strives more from relatability than originality.
”Man I Need”- Olivia Dean
Overall Rating: 8/10
Why it’s trending: Dean’s soulful sound and growing popularity made her stand out. Especially for listeners who want timeless, catchy, emotional music. Her style pulls from classic soul and R&B, while focusing on emotional subtlety rather than production alone. She reminds me of Amy Winehouse or Sade.
What works: Strong vocals, smooth production, heartfelt, memorable beat/chorus.
What doesn’t work: Relationship themes are common in R&B which makes this song a hit but not unique in its genre.
Final Take: Man I Need works because of Olivia Dean’s voice and emotional delivery. It’s authentic and catchy.
“Eternity”- Alex Warren
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Why it’s trending: Warren’s emotional storytelling helped push this song to top charts.
What works: Passionate lyrics, clear messages about love and yearning, good background vocals. I also enjoy the natural rasp he has.
What doesn’t work: There aren’t any flaws. The song effectively delivers an emotional tone and meets that “modern-pop” experience.
Final take: Eternity is sincere and heartfelt. It’s meaningful for fans that can relate.
”Love Me Not”- Ravyn Lenae
Overall Rating: 9/10
Why it’s trending: This song gained popularity because of its dreamy, atmospheric production and smooth transitions. Lenae’s soft and unique vocal delivery creates a calm mood that stands out from mainstream songs.
What works: Different vocals, strong personality and it’s catchy.
What doesn’t work: The song’s subtle energy might make it less immediately engaging for casual listeners. It focuses on mood rather than a strong hook and some people might not like that.Final Take: “Love Me Not” is original and has to be one of my favorite songs on this list. Its individuality and pop-like beat is a big reason why it’s trending.
